For months, the song "Erfolg ist kein Glück" by Kontra K has been pumping up the German national team. Whether in the dressing room, on the bus or now in the stadiums - this track is everywhere. On Thursday, the Berlin star rapper got the boys in the right mood for the round of 16 against Denmark with a concert at the team headquarters.
But that's not all! The DFB always provides plenty of variety at tournaments. There are table football tables and table tennis tables to sweeten the players' free time. And let's not forget the special guests: TV chef Tim Mälzer recently brought his ice cream creations to the team camp, and snack bar owner Arif Keles from Berlin treated players, coaches and support staff to delicious kebabs.
Musical support has also been provided in the past. In 2021, Peter Maffay visited the national team in Herzogenaurach and gave a small concert in the Adidas "Homeground". "We were very happy about that. But, of course, the decisive factor is what happens on the pitch now," said captain Manuel Neuer before the round of 16 match against England, which was unfortunately lost 2-0.
This year, before the first knockout match of the European Championship in Dortmund against Denmark, there was another celebrity visit. None other than Kontra K, the Berlin rap star whose song "Erfolg ist kein Glück" has been accompanying the team for months, came along. At 8:53 pm, the time had come: Kontra K rocked the unofficial anthem of the DFB eleven and really got the atmosphere going.
"Because when, if not now and who, if not us", sings Kontra K, striking a chord with the team. Head coach Julian Nagelsmann had already announced in a podcast at the beginning of June that a musician would be visiting the team, without revealing the name. Now the secret is out!
In the second group match against Hungary in Stuttgart (2:0), the stadium announcer had the song "Erfolg ist kein Glück" (Success is not luck) echoing through the arena. The stadium was sold out with 54,000 fans, and the lines "Success is not luck! But only the result of blood, sweat and tears - life pays everything back" electrified the crowd. At the last group game against Switzerland (1:1) in Frankfurt/Main, the song was also played shortly before kick-off at the team's request.
The track by the sports-loving Berlin rapper is extremely popular in DFB circles - and currently symbolizes the team's success. Nagelsmann is also a fan of the song, which already has over 69 million views on YouTube. After the win against Hungary, he said: "I've been listening to the song for a long time. I can't subscribe to all the lines, but there's a lot of truth in it." Success requires hard work and perseverance, said the national coach.
The motivation provided by this song is currently indispensable for the German national team. With a mix of hard work, team spirit and the right music in their ears, they are heading into the round of 16 against Denmark with determination. Because one thing is clear: success is not luck, but the result of blood, sweat and tears.
Sources:
Bild Zeitung
Welt
